Patagonia Air Shed Pro hoody

That piece is basically the only thing I have worn as my long sleeve base layer (over a Arc’x Phase SL t-shirt) for the past couple of years in the summer and shoulder seasons. In winter I might add a long sleeve Arc’x Phase SL crew neck under the Air Shed Pro too.

I like the very breathable and close-fitting hood, and the deep front half-zip. The stretchy lower arms make pushing the cuffs up your forearm easy if you need a bit of cooling. I thought that lower arm fabric might snag a lot, but even after a lot of brush I only have a few puckers.

It’s a great piece of kit. Extremely light and versatile. I have a few of them now.

Nother vote for the Airshed Pro.

I use the Airshed all the time and have since it first came out using a different fabric in a hoodless shirt version. At first I was skeptical about the new hooded version because of the combination of fabrics with different properties but it actually works okay in practice. As Philip notes, the polyester fabric on the forearms (same as on the hood) makes it easy to pull up the sleeves — something that was impossible for me and my thick forearms with the constrictive first version. The downside of the polyester fabric is that it doesn’t have the same partial wind cutting properties of the main nylon fabric used in the body. I would have preferred that the nylon fabric be used for the hood to cut more of the wind but I think since this piece is aimed at runners they prefer the aerodynamic form fitting shape of the polyester.

This is a piece that works for me for three seasons. Come winter I prefer greater wind resistance, when a Houdini Air hits the mark for me. Unfortunately, the Houdini Air has been very difficult to find in Europe these past couple of years so I’ve settled for strange sizes/colors — on sale, at least. The Airshed Pro is easy to find but the price has recently gone up in Europe, too.  In any case, the Airshed Pro still carries a much more reasonable price than the Houdini Air (even if it were available which it is not). I have purchased women’s XL sizes on sale to save money (40%+ off). Slightly heavier than a Men’s M size, it works for me and saving money on what are basically expendable wind shirts is always a good thing. FYI, the women’s version has an extra panel around the lower back of the pullover, not found on the Men’s, which is designed to pull the fabric around the hips in a more flattering way. Unfortunately, the fabric used in that panel, which must be a spandex blend, dries slower than the Pertex in the main body.

I can wear the Airshed Pro as a base layer or more commonly love using it as a windshirt over a base layer, usually a merino tencel blend.

I liked the Nano Air Hoody, too, until I tried using Polartec Alpha Direct with various windshirts such as the Airshed Pro instead. The combo breathes better, is lighter, more flexible, and manages moisture better for me than the Nano Air Hoody.

Another vote in favor, completely agree with Philip and Jon.

I’m kind of in between sizes, which is my only gripe. But that’s true of all Patagonia tops for me – I’m like a M/L…. In any event, the medium fits a touch small but I wear it on its own for hiking and running in cool and cold weather. I love everything about it for this purpose.

So then of course I bought a size large last year so I could layer something underneath, usually a t-shirt, and have a roomier fit. This works for hiking and running also, plus sleeping when it comes along on a backpacking trip, which it almost always does fall > winter > spring.

The “mechanical” venting, so to speak, makes it the best windshirt I’ve ever owned: the material combo, ability to push up the sleeves, vent with the deep zipper, and the sophisticated hood.

I’m wearing it right now ;)

Excellent to hear from you all. Thanks for chiming in. Should have mine in 2 days and can’t wait to use it. The capaline sleeves and hood are very attractive to me. I love that lightweight material and I am ALWAYS pulling my sleeves up, so that right there is worth everything!!

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have a question about this piece. How does it do against bugs, mosquitoes specifically? I find a lot of my windshirt use is as bug protection, and my fear with the capilene panels is that they wouldn’t be skeeter-proof like my other windshirts. The huge breathability would otherwise be a big plus on the days I am just using it as bug pro. Is bug protection even a fair ask of this piece, within its use cases?

Can’t say honestly for sure. However, your question comes in good timing. Next Monday I am heading up to the Adirondack Mountains and that will be my shirt I wear for 3 days while hiking and camping. Not sure the black fly situation,  I know mid May -June its pretty bad,  but I will let you know. Unless I find it too warm,  then tank top will be worn,  but I’m pretty sure I will have it on most of the trip.

I have the old regular Airshed pullover and it’s pretty bug proof, but the capiline panels wouldn’t be bug proof on the Pro.  You might try spraying them with Permethrin prior to your trip.

Neither the capilene panels nor the base polyester fabric are mosquito-proof. In bad bug conditions, I’ve had them bite through both. Fortunately, I’m still (usually) wearing a shirt underneath this, which helps a LOT. Just be aware of the limitation when worn next to skin, or (especially) in the shoulders where the fabric is compressed.

thanks guys, this is super helpful!

Well good to know.  Hopefully the black flies will not be eating me for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Black flies, deer flies, horse flies, gnats – they aren’t gonna be able to bite through the main fabric. Maybe the Capilene but even that’s gonna be pretty hard for them. Mosquitoes can pierce their proboscis through the pores of a knitted fabric. It’s going to be harder for a biting fly to do the same because it has mandibles.

Im back. I wore the shirt my entire time hiking. Oddly enough, there were no bugs. No mosquitoes or black flies or gnats. Except at the summit of Marcy and Haystacks there were a few annoying bugs and I actually did get bit by a black fly on my quad.. I was wearing shorts. But thats it.  We were definitely questioning the bug situation.. on day 2 hike out a few annoying buzzes in the ear and eyes.. but again, no bites or actual situations where our sanity was checked.

I’m thinking of picking one of these up with the 20% off right now on REI.

Could this replace to Houdini for summer hiking?

I have a Arcteryx Squamish which I like because of the superior breathability tot he Houdini. I’m slowly replacing my acteryx gear and am looking at this Airshed pro to replace the Squamish. I know it won’t be as wind resistant as the Squamish, but that will only be an issue if it’s cold too. I’m thinking at that point I could just put on my shell which would be a Storm10.

Thoughts?

NVM, just scored a Houdini Air on wornwear.patagonia.com. That’s what I really wanted but could never find one in my size on wornwear